Police wash hands off "disorganised" NPP demonstration

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Created on Tuesday, 10 June 2014 00:00

Police wash hands off "disorganised" NPP demonstration

10 June 2014

Deputy Commissioner Of Police, Nathaniel Kofi Boakye says the Ashanti Regional Police has washed its hands off the New Patriotic Party (NPP) demonstration in Kumasi, claiming it is the most disorganised ever.

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The police have withdrawn its men after demonstrators veered off the route approved by the police. The demonstrators scattered into different groups and carved out their own route making it difficult for the police to ensure order.

“In fact, in the history of my police life, I haven’t seen any disorganized demonstration like this.... as to the conduct of the demonstration, they should regulate it,” the Ashanti Regional Police Commander despaired.

The demonstration staged in the stronghold of the party, fulfilled its promise to be massive. It was organised by the Ashanti Regional branch of the NPP, in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Parliamentary Caucus.

The demonstration is to register the party's displeasure at the perceived increasing hardships in the region such as the effects of a new capitation policy under National Health Insurance Scheme.

Dubbed “Ya Ye Dien?”, which literally means: “What Have We done wrong?,” the demonstration is also against the percieved failure of President John Mahama-led government in salvaging the current dwindling fortunes in economy.

The cedi has depreciated against the dollar by 21%. Business leaders are feeling the brunt of a harsh and erratic power supply. Government is desperate for revenue to bridge the 8% deficit and also cut public expenditure.

But after a peaceful beginning of the demonstration led by the Police commander himself, he said about six groups emerged from nowhere to join the demonstration and broke off into different paths.

"About six groups emerging from other sides. I dont know whether it is by accident or by design which will lead into a confrontation with the police..in order to avoid any confrontation, I decided to withdraw the police because they have now scattered so that we will follow them. whereever they want to go they go.", Kofi Boakye explained.

DCOP Kofi Boakye feared that forcing the group to stick to the route approved with NPP leaders could lead to confrontation.

"The way they are behaving if we don't take time it will lead to a confrontation...in order to avoid confrontation, I have decided to withdraw my men, [so we] follow them so that we check any criminality outside”, he told Joy News.

ource: Myjoyonline.com|Samuel E. Bruce